The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-12-17

! the great staple fabrics, III WOODEN and
goods, i'll iron. in steel, in all the
thousands and one shape in which
they are wrought. How are we to
export staple. fabrics to the markets
of Europe unless we make them
cheaper than they do in Europe, and
how are we 10 manufacture them
cheaper than they do in Europe I'M
less we get cheaper labor than they
have in Europe2"
Then yon think that
THE QUESTION OF LABOR
funderlies the whole subject"
"Of course it does" replied Mr..
Blaine. at is, in fact, the entire
question. Whenever we can force
carpenters, masons, iron workers and
mechanics in every department to
work as cheaply and live AS poorly in
| the United States as similar workmen
in Europe, we can, of course manu-
/ facture just rs cheaply as they do in
England and France But | am to-
tally opposed to a policy that would
ebtai such results. To attempt it
is equivalent to social and financial
revolution-one that would bring I'M
told distress"
But those holding the presidents
tariff views" remarked the reporter,
"are always quoting the great pros
perity of the county under the tariff
of 1882. ~ .a- =~....e. ~,
That tariff did not involve the
one destructive point recommended
by the president, namely, the retain
ing OF direct internal taxes in order
to abolish Indirect taxes leiyed on
foreign fabrics. But the country
had peculiar advantages under it by
the Crimean war INVOLVING England,
France, and Russia and largely i'm
pairing their trade. All these Incl
dents, or accidents if you choose,
were immensely stimulating to trade
in the United States, regardless of
the nature of our tariff But mark
the end of this European experience
with the tariff of 1916, which for a
time gave an illusory and deceptive
show Of prosperity Its enactment
was Immediately followed by the
Mexican war; then in 1913 by the
great conyulsions in Europe; then
in lS49 aud succeeding years by the
enormous gold yield in California.
The powers made peace in 1856, and
at the time the output of gold in Cali
fornia fell off. Immediately the
FINANCIAL PANIC
of 1857 came upon the country with
disastrous force. Though we had in
these years minded vast amount of
gold in California, every bank in
New York was compelled to suspend
specie payment. Four hundred
millions in gold had been carried out
of the country in eight years to pay
for foreign goods that should have
been manufactured at home. and we
had years of depression and distress as
all atonement for our folly.
1T is remarkable that President
Polk recommended the tariff of 1916 on
precisely the same ground that pres-
dent Cleveland recommends a SINH
lar enactment now, namely, the sur
plus III the treasury menacing the
prosperity of the country. History is
repeating itself BY the way" Mr..
Blaine added, after moments re-
Election, lit is worth notice that Mr..
Polk insists on emptying the treasury
by the free trade tariff, then mediate
ly rushed the country INTO debt by
borrowing s150,0U0,000 for the Mex
lean war. [ trust nothing may occur
to repeat SO disasterous sequel to
the policy recommended by President
Cleveland. But
THE URIEORM FATE
has been for fifty years past that the
Democrat party when it goes out of
power always leayes an empty treas
ury, and when it returns to power al
ways finds full treasury"
Then do YOU mean to imply that
there should be no reduction of the
national revenue?"
No, what L have said implies the
reverse. | would reduce it by a
prompt repeal of the tobacco tax, and
would make here and there some
changes in the tariff,-not to reduce
protection, but wisel ' to foster it.
but what about the existing sur
plls?"
The abstract Of the message I have
seen, )" replied Mr.. Blame, contains
no reference 10 that point | therefore
make no comment further than to
lndorse Fred Grants remark that
surplus is always easier to handle than
deficit"
The reporter repeated the question
whether the presidents recomm nd
alton would not, if adopted, give us
the advantage of a large increase in
exports.
Il only repeat" answered Mr..
Blaine, that it would vastly enlarge
our imports, while the only exports it
would seriously increase is our gold
and silver. That would flow out
bounteously, just as it did under the
tariff Of 1864. The presidents recon-
mendatlon enacted into law would re-
suit, as did an experiment in drainage
of a man who wished to turn a swamp
into a productive field He dug
drain to neighboring river, but it hap
pened unfortunately that the leyel of
the river was higher that the level of
the swamp. The consequence need
not be told. A parallel would be
found when the presidents policy in
attempting to open channel for an
increase of exports should simply sue